Guided tour

Religious offices

Description

The church of Saint Gommaire built between the 14th and 16th centuries is the most characteristic example of the flamboyant gothic style from Brabant. Members of the Kelderman family as well as Herman and Domien de Waghemakere are among the master craftsmen of this imposing building.

The tower is 83m high. Its gothic spire was burnt down in 1609 and in 1702 and was replaced by an octagonal rococo bell tower. This gave a particular aspect to the tower, which has been called the “pepperpot”.

The stained glass windows from the Middle Ages are certainly renowned and are known as the “Imperial windows” (1516-1519).They depict Emperor Maximilian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy and Phillip le Beau and Jean of Castile, who were married here in 1496.

The flamboyant rood screen in white sandstone from the 16th century is unique in its style and its luxurious ornamentation with its depiction of the sixteen Stations of the Cross. In the side chapels there are a number of paintings and a triptych of the Colibrant family. The interior is resplendent in rich furnishings, the astonishing baptismal chapel, of which a part came from the cloisters of Chartreuse, a Pieta and other life size statues. There is also a treasure of silver religious relics from the 17th to 19th centuries.

On the Sunday after the 10th October there is a procession in which the silver reliquary containing the relics of Saint Gommaire, weighing 800kgs, are carried by 16 inhabitants of Lier.

Photos

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Remarkable elements

Organ loft in the chancel

The St. Gummarus church is a chapter church because it was linked to a chapter of canons. These had their seats in the chancel. The parishioners were seated in the nave. Between nave and chancel was an organ loft for members of the choir and the organ. There was also a platform with a pulpit. From afar the organ loft in late gothic style resembles a mass of stone lace. On closer inspection we detect 16 Stations of the Cross, patron saint St. Gummaris, the evangelists and the church Fathers.

Stained glass window: Coronation of the Virgin Mary

Since the second half of the 15th century this window has aroused lots of admiration. Very clear, lit by the midday sun, it depicts the coronation of the Holy Mary by the Holy Trinity. A medallion of air and clouds – glaze-blue and white – encases the grisaille painting. The scene closely resembles the style of Flemish Primitive painters Rogier Van der Weyden and Dirk Bouts. In the 19th century the window was restored by J.-B. Capronnier. He also added a quote from the Song of Solomon (4, 8-9): “Come from Libanon, my bride, come and you will be crowned”.

Shrine of St. Gummarus

Yearly the 800kg heavy St. Gummarus shrine is carried in procession through the streets of Lier by the Society of Bearers. It normally rests in the chancel, and the relics of the saint are kept in the altar devoted to St. Gummarus. On four sides of the silver shrine scenes from the legends of St. Gummarus are depicted. On the top is a silver tree. The shrine was made in the 17th century by silversmith Wierick Somers II.

Colibrant triptych

Before starting on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Joris Colibrant ordered this triptych. He died during his voyage and never saw this masterpiece. His grandson, Goossen Van der Weyden, depicted the theme of the seven joys and seven sorrows of the Holy Mary. On the left panel he painted the message of the angel Gabriel to Mary, on the central panel the marriage of Mary and Joseph, and on the right panel the dedication of Jesus in the temple. Goossens did not aim to just reproduce reality, but added a symbolic level to this delicate top showpiece.

Copy of the Shroud of Turin

On this finely woven cloth the front and back of the dead body of Christ are painted. It looks as if Christ was lying on the cloth which was then folded over his head. The original Shroud is three times larger than this copy but has been severely damaged by fire. The name of the maker remains a mystery. The cloth was the property of Margaretha of Austria and her chevalier d’honneur donated it to an abbey in Lier. After many years the copy was finally shown to the parishioners.

Painting “The Last Supper”, Maarten De Vos

Like many late 16th century artists, Maarten De Vos traveled to Italy to experience the newest culture. He returned, full of new ideas of the Renaissance which he used in this “Last Supper” painting by adding columns, amphora with mythological figures of the rebirth of the classic antiquity. The striking image in these scenes is the human suffering of Christ. Here starts the indifference of the apostles for the loneliness and abandonment of Christ. It seems to anticipate on the moral agony of Christ in the Garden of Olives.